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Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

SOC 43-6012.00Job Zone 3 · Medium Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers legal secretarial and administrative support competencies within law firm, corporate legal department, and government legal office environments, spanning document preparation, case file management, billing, scheduling, and attorney support across civil and regulatory practice contexts.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Legal documents and case files — organize and label under direct attorney supervision in a law office filing system.
  2. Word processing software — produce basic legal correspondence drafts following firm-provided templates and style guides.
  3. Incoming and outgoing telephone calls — receive and route accurately using law office phone protocols under close guidance.
  4. Photocopies of correspondence and printed legal matter — produce and collate following established office procedures.
  5. Legal mail and fax transmissions — prepare and send to clients and court officials under step-by-step supervisor direction.
  6. Client intake forms and accident report documents — complete legibly using information supplied by supervising attorneys.
  7. Legal terminology and document types — recognize and distinguish basic categories such as motions, summonses, and subpoenas in a supervised setting.
  8. Calendar and scheduling software — enter attorney appointments and court dates as directed by supervising staff.
  9. Law library materials and reference binders — retrieve, refile, and maintain organization under established library protocols.
  10. Client information and employment records — gather and consolidate from provided sources under attorney instruction in support of case preparation.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Legal case files and document repositories — maintain and audit for completeness with minimal oversight across multiple active matters in a busy law office.
  2. Legal documents including subpoenas, complaints, and pretrial agreements — prepare and proofread routinely, applying knowledge of jurisdictional formatting requirements.
  3. Client invoices and billing statements — prepare and distribute using billing and invoicing software, reconciling entries against recorded attorney time.
  4. Legal correspondence — coordinate delivery via mail, fax, and courier services to clients, witnesses, and court officials within filing deadlines.
  5. Document management software — organize, retrieve, and version-control legal files across concurrent cases with reduced supervision.
  6. Medical, employment, and court records — request and compile for attorneys in support of discovery and case-building activities.
  7. Trial and courtroom request forms — complete accurately by cross-referencing case schedules and procedural requirements.
  8. Telephone communications with clients and opposing counsel — manage professionally, applying active listening and social perceptiveness in a legal services environment.
  9. Accounting software — process routine account payable expenses and reconcile law firm vendor invoices under standard firm procedures.
  10. Time management across competing deadlines — prioritize and sequence administrative tasks to ensure all court-imposed filing dates are met.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Complex legal documents such as appeals, motions, and settlement agreements — draft, proofread, and finalize autonomously to court-ready standard across diverse practice areas.
  2. Case file systems and law library resources — design and maintain comprehensive organizational structures that support seamless attorney retrieval and regulatory compliance.
  3. Client billing cycles and invoice disputes — manage end-to-end using billing and invoicing software, resolving discrepancies and escalating only exceptional issues.
  4. Non-routine legal correspondence and time-sensitive filings — coordinate multi-channel delivery with courts, clients, and agencies while monitoring confirmation of receipt.
  5. Attorney information-gathering efforts — lead independently, identifying and subpoenaing employment, medical, and expert records critical to litigation strategy.
  6. Cloud-based document access and collaboration platforms — administer and troubleshoot to ensure secure, audit-compliant sharing among attorneys and external parties.
  7. Critical review of completed legal forms and intake documents — evaluate for accuracy, completeness, and compliance before submission to courts or regulatory bodies.
  8. Desktop publishing and word processing tools — produce professionally formatted pleadings, briefs, and client-facing materials that meet exacting court presentation standards.
  9. Confidential client communications — handle with demonstrated integrity and cautiousness, exercising independent judgment on sensitivity and escalation thresholds.
  10. Office-wide scheduling and docket management — maintain master litigation calendars, anticipating conflicts and coordinating across multiple attorneys' caseloads.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Administrative support standards and document-management policies — establish and enforce firm-wide to ensure consistency, accuracy, and regulatory compliance across all practice groups.
  2. Legal secretarial and administrative staff — mentor, train, and evaluate to develop competency at emerging and developing levels in document preparation and court procedures.
  3. Firm billing and accounts payable workflows — redesign and optimize using integrated accounting and project management software to improve efficiency and reduce revenue leakage.
  4. Technology adoption initiatives — lead evaluation and rollout of new document management, scheduling, and cloud-sharing platforms across the administrative department.
  5. Cross-functional coordination between attorneys, paralegals, and administrative teams — orchestrate at organizational scale to ensure seamless case lifecycle management.
  6. Quality assurance protocols for legal document production — develop and audit to uphold zero-defect standards in high-stakes litigation and transactional environments.
  7. Vendor and court liaison relationships — cultivate and manage strategically, negotiating service levels for courier, process serving, and legal research resources.
  8. Office operational procedures and administrative handbooks — author and periodically revise to reflect evolving court rules, technology changes, and firm growth.
  9. Risk and compliance oversight for administrative functions — identify procedural vulnerabilities in filing, records retention, and client communication and implement corrective controls.
  10. Strategic resource planning for the administrative support function — forecast staffing, technology, and workflow needs in alignment with firm growth and practice area priorities.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. AI-assisted document drafting — uses AI tools to generate first-draft legal correspondence such as cover letters and routine client notices, then reviews the output for accuracy before submission Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  2. Basic proofreading delegation — pastes prepared legal documents into an AI assistant to catch spelling and grammatical errors, applying corrections manually after review Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Developing
  1. Legal document templating — directs an AI assistant to populate standard legal forms (summonses, subpoenas, complaints) from case details, verifying all jurisdiction-specific fields and party names before filing Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Invoice preparation support — uses AI to draft and format client billing invoices from time-entry data, confirming line items and amounts against source records before distribution Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  3. Case file summarization — prompts an AI tool to produce concise summaries of lengthy case documents, using those summaries to organize and cross-reference physical and digital file systems more efficiently WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Proficient
  1. Multi-document workflow orchestration — manages AI-assisted processing of batches of legal correspondence and filings, coordinating sequencing and deadline tracking while retaining final editorial authority over every document Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Contextual legal language review — evaluates AI-generated draft motions and pretrial agreements against jurisdiction-specific procedural rules and attorney style preferences, flagging deviations and returning targeted revision prompts to the AI Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Time-sensitive delivery coordination — uses AI to draft and format urgent court filings under deadline pressure, saving significant preparation time while personally verifying service requirements and delivery confirmations Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  4. Research compilation — directs an AI assistant to locate and organize statutory citations and procedural references for inclusion in legal briefs, critically assessing relevance and accuracy before handing compiled material to supervising attorneys WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Advanced
  1. AI tool governance for legal support workflows — evaluates, selects, and establishes team-level protocols for which AI tools are appropriate for document drafting, proofreading, and billing tasks, defining quality-control checkpoints to protect confidentiality and accuracy Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Complex document integrity oversight — directs AI-assisted drafting of high-stakes appellate documents and complex pretrial agreements, applying deep reading-comprehension expertise to identify logical gaps, contradictions, or procedural errors that AI output introduces Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  3. Cross-functional AI handoff design — designs handoff procedures between AI-generated draft documents and attorney review, specifying the exact verification steps legal support staff must perform to ensure court-ready accuracy without duplicating attorney effort WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Evidence pack
AEI usage
Task observations: 147
Augment share: 14.7%
Time saved: 92.5%
AI autonomy: 2.80
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Reading Comprehension
Score: 45.5 / 100
Quadrant: Q2_ai_augmented
precision: exact
WEF cluster
Human-Technology Interaction
human_technology_interaction
Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication11 statements
Emerging
  1. Legal correspondence drafting — composes routine cover letters and transmittal memos for attorney review using standard firm templates Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Telephone intake — receives and routes client and court calls by recording accurate messages and directing inquiries to appropriate attorneys Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Document labeling — prepares clear file labels and index tabs for case files using established naming conventions O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Legal document preparation — drafts summonses, subpoenas, and motions by translating attorney instructions into properly formatted legal language Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Client status updates — communicates case progress and scheduling changes to clients via written correspondence while maintaining professional tone under attorney supervision Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Court filing communication — coordinates with court clerks and opposing counsel offices to confirm filing deadlines and submission requirements O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Pretrial correspondence management — independently composes, proofreads, and distributes legal correspondence to clients, witnesses, and court officials with minimal attorney revision Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Multi-party document distribution — coordinates simultaneous delivery of legal documents across clients, opposing counsel, and court officials through appropriate channels with verified receipt O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Information elicitation — assists attorneys in gathering employment, medical, and other records by conducting structured written and verbal requests that clearly specify legal authority and scope Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Legal writing quality assurance — reviews and refines all outgoing legal documents for clarity, accuracy, and compliance with court-specific formatting rules before attorney signature Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-functional communication leadership — establishes and trains support staff on firm-wide standards for client-facing correspondence, ensuring consistent professional voice across all practice areas Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
2Leadership9 statements
Emerging
  1. Task self-management — prioritizes assigned document preparation and filing tasks each morning using a written daily checklist without attorney prompting Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Process initiative — identifies and reports missing case file components to supervising attorneys before deadlines approach Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Workflow coordination — tracks multiple attorneys' deadlines simultaneously and proactively alerts legal team to upcoming court filing dates and scheduling conflicts Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. New staff orientation — guides newly hired clerical staff through firm-specific filing systems and document formatting standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Administrative oversight — manages the intake, routing, and tracking of all incoming legal documents for assigned practice group, ensuring no filing deadlines are missed Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Vendor relationship management — leads communication with process servers, court reporters, and courier services to coordinate timely legal document delivery O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Procedure development — authors and maintains written office procedures for case file organization, document retention, and court submission protocols Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Legal support team mentorship — coaches junior legal secretaries on court-specific formatting requirements, legal terminology, and ethical handling of confidential information Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Administrative leadership — serves as lead administrative coordinator for high-volume litigation matters, directing task allocation among support staff and reporting status to partners Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition9 statements
Emerging
  1. Error self-review — re-reads drafted legal documents against attorney instructions before submission to identify discrepancies independently Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Learning identification — recognizes gaps in knowledge of court-specific formatting rules and requests clarification from attorneys or senior staff Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Workflow self-assessment — evaluates personal productivity at end of each workday to identify bottlenecks in document processing and filing tasks Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Terminology acquisition — monitors own understanding of new legal terms encountered in case documents and maintains a personal reference glossary for accuracy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Process reflection — analyzes recurring errors in legal document preparation and adjusts personal proofreading strategies to prevent repetition Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Deadline management self-monitoring — tracks cognitive load across concurrent case assignments and reorganizes task priorities when complexity increases to maintain accuracy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Skill gap planning — identifies areas of procedural law or court system changes requiring updated knowledge and schedules targeted self-study accordingly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Strategic self-regulation — evaluates own administrative support strategies across an entire litigation cycle and refines workflows based on post-trial debriefs with attorneys Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Metacognitive modeling — demonstrates and articulates effective self-checking and prioritization habits to junior staff as part of onboarding and ongoing coaching Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking9 statements
Emerging
  1. Document verification — cross-checks names, dates, and case numbers on legal forms against source documents before presenting to attorneys for review Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Filing requirement identification — determines correct court division and filing format for standard legal documents by consulting firm procedure guides O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Form accuracy analysis — evaluates completed accident reports and court applications for logical consistency and completeness before submission Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Deadline conflict detection — identifies scheduling conflicts across multiple case calendars and surfaces potential issues to attorneys with proposed resolution options Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Legal document compliance review — assesses drafted motions, complaints, and appeals against jurisdiction-specific procedural rules to flag non-compliant formatting or missing elements Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Billing accuracy evaluation — audits invoices and account expense submissions by comparing line items against case activity logs to identify discrepancies before distribution O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Records research analysis — evaluates collected employment, medical, and other records for completeness and relevance to case requirements specified by attorneys Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Procedural risk assessment — analyzes complex multi-jurisdiction filing requirements and presents attorneys with a prioritized risk summary of potential procedural challenges Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. System improvement critique — evaluates existing document management and case file organization systems against current case volume and proposes evidence-based workflow enhancements to firm management Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration9 statements
Emerging
  1. Attorney support — assists attorneys with document retrieval and copying tasks during active case preparation without interrupting workflow Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Team file maintenance — contributes to shared law library organization by re-filing documents and flagging misfiled items to senior staff O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Cross-functional case support — coordinates with paralegals, attorneys, and external vendors to compile records and exhibits required for pretrial preparation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Shared calendar management — maintains and updates shared attorney calendars with court dates, client appointments, and filing deadlines in collaboration with legal team members O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Litigation team coordination — partners with attorneys and paralegals to manage document flow across all phases of a case, from intake through post-trial archiving Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Client service collaboration — works alongside attorneys and billing staff to prepare accurate client invoices and respond to billing inquiries in a coordinated manner O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Court liaison coordination — collaborates with court clerks, process servers, and opposing counsel staff to schedule hearings and confirm procedural requirements Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Multi-attorney practice group support — orchestrates administrative support across a team of attorneys with competing priorities, negotiating task timelines and resource allocation to meet all deadlines Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Inter-departmental process alignment — partners with IT, billing, and records management departments to implement integrated document management solutions affecting firm-wide legal support operations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
6Character9 statements
Emerging
  1. Confidentiality compliance — handles all client files, case documents, and attorney communications with strict discretion in accordance with firm confidentiality policies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Accuracy commitment — corrects identified errors in legal documents promptly and transparently reports corrections to supervising attorneys Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Ethical document handling — refuses to alter, misfile, or improperly disclose legal documents even under time pressure, maintaining chain of custody integrity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional accountability — accepts responsibility for missed deadlines or document errors, communicates the issue immediately to the attorney of record, and implements a corrective plan Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Client trust stewardship — maintains strict professional boundaries in all client interactions, safeguarding sensitive personal, medical, and financial information shared during case preparation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Billing integrity — prepares and distributes invoices that accurately reflect case activity, declining to alter time entries or expense records without attorney authorization Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Consistent professionalism — represents the firm with courteous, composed conduct in all communications with court officials, opposing counsel, and clients regardless of case stress or conflict Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Ethical culture modeling — demonstrates and reinforces confidentiality, accuracy, and professional conduct standards for junior administrative staff through consistent behavior and explicit coaching Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Compliance leadership — identifies potential ethical or procedural compliance risks in administrative practices and escalates concerns through appropriate channels before violations occur Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
7Creativity9 statements
Emerging
  1. Template adaptation — modifies standard legal document templates to fit non-routine case facts while preserving required legal formatting elements Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Filing solution identification — devises alternative organization schemes for unusually large or complex case files when standard methods are insufficient Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Process improvement suggestion — proposes new tracking methods for court deadlines or document versions that reduce errors and improve team visibility Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Client communication design — creates clear, accessible client-facing letters that translate complex legal procedural steps into plain language Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Workflow innovation — designs and implements a customized case file indexing system that reduces document retrieval time for active litigation matters Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Form development — creates firm-specific intake forms and checklists for recurring case types that capture all required information in a legally defensible format Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Administrative problem-solving — develops novel scheduling and routing solutions when simultaneous court appearances and filing deadlines create logistical conflicts Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Knowledge management innovation — architects a searchable law library classification system that integrates physical and digital resources, enabling rapid legal research support across practice areas Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Training material creation — develops original onboarding guides, procedural manuals, and reference tools for legal administrative support roles that become firm-adopted standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset9 statements
Emerging
  1. Feedback receptivity — incorporates attorney corrections to document formatting and legal language into subsequent drafts without defensiveness Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Jurisdiction learning — studies unfamiliar court rules and filing requirements when assigned to a new practice area or jurisdiction Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Skill expansion — seeks cross-training opportunities in additional practice areas such as family law, litigation, or corporate to broaden legal administrative expertise Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Error learning — analyzes returned or rejected court filings to understand procedural deficiencies and prevents recurrence through updated personal checklists Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Technology adoption — embraces and masters new legal document management software, e-filing platforms, and billing systems introduced by the firm Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Procedural change integration — updates personal workflows and firm templates promptly when court rules, filing procedures, or statutory forms change Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Professional development pursuit — completes continuing education in legal terminology, administrative law, or software systems to maintain current competency Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Change leadership — guides legal support team through transitions to new administrative systems or procedural requirements by modeling adaptability and providing structured peer support Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Mentorship through growth — shares lessons learned from past administrative errors and workflow challenges with junior staff as concrete teaching examples that build team resilience Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness9 statements
Emerging
  1. Attention management — maintains focused concentration when proofreading legal documents by eliminating distractions and working through documents section by section Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Stress awareness — recognizes signs of task overload during high-deadline periods and communicates bandwidth limitations to supervising attorneys before quality is compromised Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Intentional prioritization — pauses at the start of each workday to assess urgency and importance of all pending legal tasks before beginning work Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Emotional regulation in client contact — maintains calm, measured tone when receiving distressed client calls, de-escalating tension before transferring to attorneys Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Deadline-pressure composure — performs accurate legal document preparation and proofreading under tight court deadlines by applying deliberate, methodical review practices Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Present-moment accuracy — sustains full attention during complex form completion, such as court applications and accident reports, to prevent omissions that create legal liability Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Intentional communication pacing — slows communication during sensitive client interactions to ensure accurate information exchange and appropriate tone in high-stakes legal contexts Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Team mindfulness facilitation — models and promotes intentional workflow habits across the legal support team, reducing reactive errors during high-volume court schedule periods Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Reflective practice integration — conducts structured end-of-week self-review of administrative decisions made under pressure to identify patterns and refine future responses Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude9 statements
Emerging
  1. Deadline persistence — continues accurate document processing through extended work sessions during court filing deadlines without sacrificing quality Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Uncertainty tolerance — proceeds with assigned legal tasks when attorney guidance is temporarily unavailable by applying established firm procedures and flagging questions for follow-up Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. High-volume resilience — maintains organized and accurate case file management during periods of simultaneous active litigation matters across multiple attorneys Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Error recovery — reconstructs misfiled or lost documents through systematic search and recreation processes without becoming immobilized by the setback Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Sustained performance under pressure — delivers complete, accurate legal document packages for trial preparation during multi-week high-intensity litigation phases Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Conflict navigation — maintains professional composure and task focus when managing competing urgent demands from multiple attorneys with conflicting priorities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Adversity response — continues administrative support operations effectively during unexpected disruptions such as system failures, attorney absences, or emergency court filings Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Organizational resilience leadership — stabilizes legal support team performance during firm-wide disruptions by taking charge of critical deadline tracking and task redistribution Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Long-term perseverance — sustains high-quality administrative performance across prolonged high-stakes litigation matters spanning months or years, maintaining accuracy and professionalism throughout Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Show O*NET source anchors51 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Accredited Legal Secretary · Certified Legal Secretary Specialist · Confidential Secretary · Law Firm Administrator · Law Office Assistant · Law Secretary · Legal Administrative Assistant (Legal Admin Assistant) · Legal Administrator (Legal Admin) · Legal Coordinator · Legal Executive Assistant (Legal Exec Assistant) · Legal Management Assistant · Legal Office Support Assistant
RAPIDS apprenticeships
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O*NET skills
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningWritingSpeakingTime ManagementCritical ThinkingMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationService Orientation
Knowledge domains
AdministrativeEnglish LanguageLaw and GovernmentCustomer and Personal ServiceComputers and ElectronicsAdministration and ManagementPublic Safety and Security
Abilities
Written ComprehensionOral ComprehensionNear VisionOral ExpressionWritten ExpressionSpeech ClaritySpeech RecognitionInformation OrderingSelective AttentionCategory Flexibility
Work styles
Attention to DetailDependabilityIntegrityCooperationCautiousnessSelf-Control
Technology
Data base user interface and query softwareDocument management softwareAccounting softwareCalendar and scheduling softwareHuman resources softwareBilling and invoicing softwareProject management softwareDesktop publishing softwareCloud-based data access and sharing softwareWord processing software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Organize and maintain law libraries, documents, and case files.
  2. Mail, fax, or arrange for delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses, and court officials.
  3. Prepare and distribute invoices to bill clients or pay account expenses.
  4. Prepare, proofread, or process legal documents, such as summonses, subpoenas, complaints, appeals, motions, or pretrial agreements.
  5. Make photocopies of correspondence, documents, and other printed matter.
  6. Assist attorneys in collecting information such as employment, medical, and other records.
  7. Complete various forms, such as accident reports, trial and courtroom requests, and applications for clients.
  8. Receive and place telephone calls.
CIP education codes
22.0301

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.